Punk rock echoed along Dana Point’s coastline on Oct. 6 as Green Day took the stage at Doheny State Beach. Their performance shook windows and got fans buzzing. Billie Joe Armstrong led the band through their biggest hits, and the crowd went wild for “American Idiot,” jumped to “Basket Case,” swayed to “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” and sang every word of “When I Come Around.” This year marked the ninth edition of the Ohana Festival.
Green Day mixed classic tracks with new material, creating a blend of nostalgia and rebellion that energized the crowd. Fans sang together, their voices carrying across the beach.
The day kicked off with strong sets from Skating Polly and Lambrini Girls. British rockers James took the stage as the sun rose high. Lead singer Tim Booth dove into the crowd, saying, “We just kinda come up here and improvise. We don’t know what … we’re doing.” Before Green Day, Matt Shultz from Cage the Elephant got everyone moving.
A surprise guest, Eddie Vedder, appeared on stage as Amanda Reckonwith. His set featured a mix of covers and original songs, bringing an intimate and fun vibe. Glen Hansard joined him for a few songs. Wet Leg brought their unique sound to the beach, playing both old and new tracks. High Vis delivered a raw punk set that addressed current issues.
Waves crashed behind the three stages at Doheny State Beach all weekend. Stars and newcomers alike found their rhythm against the ocean backdrop, as the salt air mixed with the music. It was a weekend to remember for all the music lovers in attendance.
